AMWU to rally in Newcastle against Mike Baird's transport treachery

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) will join tomorrow’s rally against Mike Baird’s plan to privatise Newcastle’s public transport. The rally is being organised by the Newcastle Trades Hall and will gather hundreds of workers and community members in Civic Park at midday.

“The Baird government, and especially the Transport Minister Andrew Constance, has sold out the people of Newcastle again,” said AMWU NSW Secretary, Tim Ayres.

“Mike Baird doesn’t seem to know what ‘public’ transport means. We need to keep our buses, ferries and any future light rail in public hands because they are essential services that the community relies on,” Mr Ayres said.

“This is not the first time the Baird government has failed the Hunter region, their decision to send key infrastructure contracts overseas has been devastating to the local manufacturing industry,” he said.

It was revealed last week that the decision to send rail manufacturing contracts overseas has created a $1.1 billion blow out in the cost of replacing Sydney’s inner-city trains.

“The AMWU is calling on Mike Baird to meet with Newcastle rail-workers to explain why he is sending key infrastructure contracts overseas. He has failed to invest in local manufacturing jobs and now he won’t even let the people of Newcastle own their public transport,” Mr Ayres said.

“The people of Newcastle deserve public transport that is affordable, efficient and publicly-owned. We are proud to stand with a community that has stood with us in our campaign for local manufacturing jobs,” he said.

Media Contact: Joe McKenzie 0407931445

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